Via Aquarium, Schenectady: Hours, Address, Via Aquarium Reviews: 4/5
Via Aquarium
Via Aquarium
4
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM, 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM, 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Monday
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
About
Experience the wonders of the ocean in your backyard! The Via Aquarium is the capital regions only full scale aquarium. Explore over 25,000 square feet of oceanic treasure as you and your family embark an exciting self-guided tour visiting over 2,000 creatures of the sea.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
Features animals
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Restaurants
182 within 3 miles
99 Restaurants
54
0.2 mi$$ - $$$ • American • Bar • Pub
Burger King
6
0.3 mi
Chipmunk Coffee & Tea
3
105 ftCafe
Bistro Express
2
105 ft
Abunchabrunch
1
105 ft
Via Entertainment Restaurant
1
105 ft
Taste of Italy Pizza
1
0.1 mi
Fresco Wrap
2
105 ft
Sbarro
1
105 ftItalian • Pizza
Dunkin'
5
0.3 miBakeries • American • Cafe
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32 within 6 miles
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Gardens
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55
2.5 miLibraries
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31
2 miTheaters
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23
1.9 miSpeciality Museums
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40
2.9 miSpeciality Museums
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20
2.3 miFarmers Markets
Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail
1
1.7 miBiking Trails • Hiking Trails
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1.9 miNature & Wildlife Areas • Parks
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.0
139 reviews
Excellent
52
Very good
59
Average
17
Poor
7
Terrible
4
ransom007
Anaheim, CA1,206 contributions
Apr 2021
There is free parking available. Advanced purchase of tickets (online) is recommended because they use 3 timed blocks to "promote" social distancing. In fact, it has quite the opposite effect because everyone is lined up at the starting time and, once their tickets are checked, enter and are all jammed up at the first few viewing tanks. On the plus side, these blocks allow a cleaning period between them. The aquarium has many viewing tanks showing a variety of ecosystems. They are not very good at identifying the denizens. There are several ecological message boards along the route. There are "touch tanks" for some species, but I do not think they will allow you to touch the fish. I saw sharks, rays, a lobster, crabs, lion fish, clown fish, and many other unidentified species. There is a gift shop that looks like it is being liquidated as the shelves were looking somewhat empty. COVID-19: The employees were masked. Visitors were to be masked and maintain social distancing protocols (sure thing!).
Written April 29, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Rob M
26 contributions
Jul 2020 • Couples
My wife and I visited for the first time today. What a great aquarium! I've never seen arawanas in an aquarium before. A lot if great exhibits including a tunnel a visitor walks through while fish swim overhead. I really loved the pot bellied sea horses. The Manta track was really cool, as was a flowing tank full of fish that, when you held your hand over them, they all stopped, looking for a handout! A really great place.
Written July 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Thank you so much for your visit! We are so glad you enjoyed it and can't wait to have you back again :)
Written July 13, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Robert E
Argyle, NY287 contributions
Jul 2020
My wife and I went here after our original plans had to change due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Even though a few of their interactive exhibits were closed in compliance with CDC guidelines, there was still plenty to see and do. The staff members I interacted with were pleasant and knowledgeable about the fish and animals in their care.
Written July 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Thank you so much for coming to visit!! We are doing everything we can to ensure a clean and safe environment for our guests, staff and of course, the animals! :) We hope to have you back again :)
Written July 13, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Claire12065
Clifton Park, NY13 contributions
Aug 2021 • Family
We have been to Via Aquarium in the past and while it was always expensive for what you got, this visit will be our last- it was awful. None of the hands on experiences are there anymore (and I understand COVID causes restrictions), but there is no excuse for empty tanks, and tanks that are not labeled at all correctly. The place looks like it’s ready to close and it probably should!
Written August 17, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Carrie W
Rome, NY67 contributions
Aug 2021
Our family went to the aquarium as a side trip to see Howe Caverns. We didn't realize it was in a mall that that been almost decimated by Covid and the economy. HOWEVER, look past where it's situated; it's a nice aquarium -- clean, easy to walk through, lots of fish to keep your interest. The sharks are small so don't except adult sharks. Our favorite part were the sting rays .. . you are able to touch them and they are quite entertaining! The staff at the sting ray tank was knowledgeable and very friendly. The gift shop was a little disappointed but we were able to get a refrigerator magnet for our collection!
Written August 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Beth A
1 contribution
Jan 2018 • Family
I am so furious with this aquarium. What a waste of time, waste of money. We purchased the yearly pass on 2/24/17. Went to visit today with our family on 1/15/18. We were denied entrance bcs they "changed their policy in October of 2017". The website doesn't state this change in policy. They website states that effective for 365 days from the date of purchase. Any decent, well run, organization would understand that policy should go in effect from that date forward (Oct forward). It should NOT be retroactive.
I tried speaking to the manager, I still don't believe I spoke to the actual manager. I was placed so rudely on hold and ended up hanging up the phone. Nobody was coming to discuss the situation to make it right.
I tried speaking to the manager, I still don't believe I spoke to the actual manager. I was placed so rudely on hold and ended up hanging up the phone. Nobody was coming to discuss the situation to make it right.
Written January 15, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Patrick C
Hudson Falls, NY311 contributions
Mar 2017 • Couples
We have visited many aquariums each is unique in their own right so I'll compare this one to Boston ,Dallas Monterrey bay and Portland
This aquarium has only been open several months but has gotten its act together we found the exhibits well presented for a venue of this size there was a good gamut of species represented from both salt and fresh water
Many of the species were very young examples you won't find huge manta or sharks but you will find great hands on exhibits for the kids to whet their appetites for further exploration into the world of aquatic wildlife
The only drawbacks were the number of people in the aquarium made it difficult to spend much time on any exhibit
Well done for a capital area of NY exhibit
This aquarium has only been open several months but has gotten its act together we found the exhibits well presented for a venue of this size there was a good gamut of species represented from both salt and fresh water
Many of the species were very young examples you won't find huge manta or sharks but you will find great hands on exhibits for the kids to whet their appetites for further exploration into the world of aquatic wildlife
The only drawbacks were the number of people in the aquarium made it difficult to spend much time on any exhibit
Well done for a capital area of NY exhibit
Written March 5, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
AMC
3 contributions
Mar 2019 • Couples
What they had was pretty cool (see, the shark tunnel, the dart frogs), but the whole thing took about 45 minutes to walk through and it cost like, $17 a ticket. I honestly thing it was worth a solid $10. More geared towards young children.
Written March 27, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Kathy C
Reading, PA177 contributions
Jul 2018 • Family
My daughter found this place on line while trying to find something close to the VT border for a weekend trip. I kept reading about how small it is, and it is, but it is very nice! Lots of information at each tank. They also have a thing where you can buy food and the ticket into the aquarium together. We found out about it when we went to eat before going in. It was quite a good deal. This was the first time we took our granddaughter to an aquarium. She is only 3 months old, but she kept looking at the fish swimming around. I definitely liked it and would recommend it to other people!
Written July 3, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
DiverJoAnne
Middleburgh, NY21 contributions
May 2017 • Family
Good for an hour. When it's less crowded. Terrible to visit on weekend and school vacations. Family pass has paid for itself.
Written May 5, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
What are prices for adults and children and are there any extra fees for exhibits or special attractions
Karen C
Geneva, NY87 contributions
There is an extra charge to feed the stingrays. But everyone can watch the feeding. I took my granddaughter (age 6) and she really wanted to do it. But when she actually saw the tank and the way to feed the rays she was skittish. So i ended up actually doing the feeding but she loved watching.
schwabcarol
Ocala, FL
How far from Amtrak are you? Is it walking distance as we have a 4 hour layover in Schenectady and need something to do
Barretomjj
Wooster, OH160 contributions
No it's not walking distance. You have about 15-20 minutes drive. Albany have Uber which can take you there.
Frequently Asked Questions about Via Aquarium
- Via Aquarium is open:
- Sun - Sat 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
- Sun - Sat 1:30 PM - 3:30 PM
- Sun - Sat 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
- Hotels near Via Aquarium:
- (1.95 mi) Comfort Inn & Suites Schenectady - Scotia
- (3.28 mi) Homewood Suites by Hilton Schenectady
- (2.30 mi) Hampton Inn Schenectady
- (2.57 mi) DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Schenectady
- (1.67 mi) The Inn At Glen Sanders Mansion
- Restaurants near Via Aquarium:
- (0.02 mi) Via Entertainment Restaurant
- (0.02 mi) Sbarro
- (0.02 mi) Fresco Wrap
- (0.02 mi) Abunchabrunch
- (0.02 mi) Chipmunk Coffee & Tea